James Risch (R-ID)
International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 98.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025, aims to create a comprehensive federal strategy for nuclear cooperation and exports. It proposes establishing a White House office to coordinate international civil nuclear efforts and a Nuclear Exports Working Group to develop a 10-year trade strategy. The legislation includes initiatives to assist embarking civil nuclear nations through financial assistance, technical training, and the use of senior advisors. It also calls for cooperation with ally or partner nations on advanced nuclear reactor demonstrations and research facilities. Additionally, the bill establishes a mechanism for a joint assessment of nuclear liability rules between the United States and India.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
It strengthens cooperation with ally or partner nations through research and energy security initiatives.
- Scored +6
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill establishes a 10-year strategy specifically to increase the export of U.S. nuclear technology.
- Scored +5
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill authorizes grants and technical assistance for embarking civil nuclear nations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Emerging Nuclear Nations: The bill provides financial assistance through grants and the ability to hire senior advisors to help "embarking civil nuclear nations" develop their nuclear energy programs (Section 8).
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Enhanced Nuclear Safety and Security: The legislation emphasizes providing education and training to foreign governments regarding nuclear safety, security, and safeguards (Section 4).
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Promotion of Advanced Technology: The bill focuses on the development and deployment of "advanced nuclear reactor technologies" to address energy security and environmental impacts (Section 6).
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Global Cooperation on Safety: It encourages the holding of biennial conferences to allow nations to engage on matters of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability (Section 9).
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Economic Opportunities for U.S. Companies: The strategy seeks to promote the use of reactors, fuel, equipment, and services from "U.S. nuclear energy companies" in international programs (Section s 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Fraud or Mismanagement: The bill acknowledges the need for the Inspectors General to establish oversight plans specifically to "prevent fraud, waste, and abuse" in the administration of financial assistance (Section 8).
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Potential Competition Waivers: The legislation allows for the waiver of certain provisions of law relating to competition to achieve specific objectives in civil nuclear energy programs (Section 7).
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Competitiveness Clause Impact: The bill requires officials to consider how "United States competitiveness clauses" might impact financing relationships, suggesting a potential shift in existing agreement terms (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — It strengthens cooperation with ally or partner nations through research and energy security initiatives. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill establishes a 10-year strategy specifically to increase the export of U.S. nuclear technology. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It enhances diplomatic ties through specialized energy dialogues, such as with India. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill authorizes grants and technical assistance for embarking civil nuclear nations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill targets advanced nuclear reactors as a way to address climate change and energy security. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Emphasis is placed on nuclear safety, security, and environmental safeguards in international cooperation. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — While primarily nuclear, the bill notes the role of advanced reactors in complementing renewable energy integration.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes U.S. nuclear energy company exports, which likely supports domestic jobs in the nuclear sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The export strategy aims to grow the U.S. nuclear industry and international trade capacity.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — U.S. nuclear energy companies are a primary beneficiary of the export and cooperation strategy.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill creates new White House offices and centralized strategies for nuclear export policy. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill includes requirements for reporting and oversight by Inspectors General.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill promotes cooperative research for advanced nuclear reactor technologies.
- 6/18/2025
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 98.
- 6/5/2025
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 5/19/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah